The Gilded Ones

Describe how discrimination works in the novel. What different kinds of discrimination exist and who is affected?

Menstruation plays a pivotal role in The Gilded Ones. In addition to making it possible for young women to have children, what does beginning a period signify? How does it affect various characters in the novel?

Blood carries many meanings in the novel. How does oppression revolve around blood?

Discuss how Deka’s opinions about the Infinite Wisdoms change over the course of the novel. What has the ability to make her question her faith?

Compare and contrast suits of armor and how they are presented in the novel. What does each suit of armor signify in Deka’s character arc?

In The Gilded Ones, there are many different kinds of masks. How is the symbolism of masks transformed over the course of the novel?

Where do sun symbols appear and what do they mean?

Britta’s speech is represented as a dialect on the page. How do the phonetic spellings of words impact Britta’s characterization? How has dialect been used in historical African American texts?